“I will cooperate with you. Give you the annulment you desire, if you answer some questions for me.”
“You have been asking questions already, and I have been answering them.” He seemed amused, but he did not smile. “What more questions could you have?”
“Tell me specifically about this work of yours. Is it family work?” she asked.
“No, it’s not exactly family related. I’m doing some investigative work. For some associates of mine.”
She knew that she was treading on dangerous territory.
Curiosity could betray her. “Associates from London?”
His hands clenched at his sides. He crossed one leg over the other, bringing them much closer to her. The dark hair curling over his muscular calves intrigued her. Would that hair be soft or crisp to the touch, and precisely how hard was the sinew beneath his skin?
“Why the sudden curiosity about my life?” he asked.
She shrugged, trying to look indifferent. “I’m merely a curious sort.”
“I don’t believe my work is any concern of yours, despite your innocent curiosity,” he said. But his shrewd eyes kept focused on hers, making her feel as if he could see inside of her. To those hidden parts she never revealed to anyone.
She shifted in her seat and decided to change her tactic. “How about this? I will remain married to you, be a thorn in your side, so to speak, if you do not answer my questions. Take your pick.” She crossed her arms over her chest to show him her determination.
But instead of appearing threatened by her blackmail, he tossed his head back and laughed. A riotous belly laugh that made her want to smile and laugh with him. But she forced herself to remain stoic. These were serious negotiations.
“I am quite serious,” Vanessa said.
“Of that, I have no doubt. Very well, I’ll tell you.” He still smiled, though, as if taunting her with his humor. “I was asked to look into something that another man is doing. Make certain that he’s not doing anything illegal or dangerous.”
“By whom?”
“Some men that I work with in London.”
“Your flair for detail is astounding. Truly, the entire situation makes perfect sense to me now,” she said.
“That’s all I can tell you about them.”
Who was he protecting? The other men or himself? Was he hired to do the work these men could not manage on their own? Graeme was large, larger than most Englishmen in height and breadth. Perhaps they used his strength to intimidate others. But what did that have to do with stolen treasure and the Stone of Destiny? The carriage came to a stop in front of Graeme’s cottage.
Graeme stepped down from the carriage, then helped her do the same. He lifted her out of the rig, then set her down directly in front of him, no more than a breath away. “That man you went home with is not a true gentleman. He is potentially involved with some very dangerous people, and I’m here to see if I can discover the details surrounding his situation.”
“You are speaking of your cousin, Niall?” She waved her hand dismissively. “He is harmless enough. He is a scientist.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Scientists can be deceiving, can they not?”
“Not generally. They don’t bother themselves with those matters and instead focus on their studies.”
“Like your fiancé?” he asked.
It was not the kindest remark, but she deserved it. And it was a good reminder for her to keep her wits about her and not be deceived by someone simply because he claimed to be a scientist. “Touché.”
They walked toward the cottage as the carriage rolled away down the drive. “Why was Niall so interested in that book you loaned him?” Graeme asked.
“I’m not certain. It’s a common enough book in my field of study. Perhaps Niall is interested in fossils as well,” she said.
“I’d wager he has a much more specific need for the text.”
“You think he was merely using that as an excuse, and he intends to ravish me?” Vanessa asked. “When he returns my book?”
Graeme smiled. “I suspect had he wanted to ravish you, he would have done so earlier today.”
